Billy B. McConnell, 86, outdoorsman worked for IP
July 12, 2024
Billy Byron McConnell of Andrews died June 25 at Arbor Landing in Pawleys Island. He was 86.
He was born April 18, 1938, in Warsaw, the son of William and Nell Haselden McConnell. Nicknamed Sonny as a child, he graduated from Williamsburg High School and enlisted in the Air Force, serving as a fireman from 1958 to 1962 in Homestead, Fla. He went on to work for 45 years for International Paper Co.
He was married to the former Patricia Ann Winkler.
Mr. McConnell enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed bird hunting and fishing on the Santee and Cooper rivers. He had a passion for working on cars that started with his brother David and that he passed on to his son and grandchildren. He was a fan of the Clemson Tigers, NASCAR racing and classic country music.
He is survived by his sisters, Betty Wall, Mary Emma Coleman (Billy), Nina Ethridge and Anna Grace Waddell (Rusty); his sister-in-law, Sonya McConnell; his children, Cindy McConnell Buck (John) of Pawleys Island and Bobbi Jo Davis (Tony) of Andrews and Scott McConnell (Joyce) of Florence; his grandchildren, Kerrie Stillinger (Thurston), Jamie Matthews (Lesley), Courtney Griffin, Dalt Todd (April), Rae Jordan (Jarrod), Brandon Davis (Joana), Tiffany Cooper (Isiah) and Olivia McConnell; an honorary grandchild, Kadyn Kellahan; 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Another daughter, Cheryl McConnell Matthews, died before him, as did his siblings Thomas McConnell, Maude Ellen McConnell and David McConnell, and his brothers-in-law, Norman Wall and W.B. Ethridge.
Funeral services were June 27 at the Andrews Church of God.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
